Rollers - This Wednesday 8:30pm

[Andrew G]

Hope to see you at the clubroom.

See[url=http://www.addiscombe.org/members/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=5530]"sticky"[/url] above for all the details.

[Andrew G]

Well thanks to those who actually turned up.

Just Paul T, Steve B, George, Myself had timed runs on them. Eric (a blind chap) and my Dad (fresh from an boozy Christmas lunch) also had a turn but didn't do a timed run. Ben arrived but couldn't be persuaded to have a go.

A big thanks to Rob who helped set up the rollers and held people steady while they rode, and the others who were there for moral support.

Steve and George had a go on their road bikes and then had a go on Paul's fixed for the timed run.

Timed runs were a 500m sprint - and it's a lot more tiring that that sounds I can assure you.

1st - Steve 25 seconds (very smooth)
2nd - Paul 27 seconds (slowed a bit at 250-350m and then picked up again)
3rd - George 29 seconds (bloody hell it's hard work trying to hold George still on the rollers )
3rd - Me 29 seconds (I did 2 runs as my first was 31 secs and I wasn't too happy with that - I went too slow at the start, but on the 2nd run went to quick and faded ).

It was good fun, more people should have a go.

Cheers,

Andrew.

[huw williams]

Its even more fun if you do an 'unheld' category as well

[Toks]

Sounds great Andrew. So what would make one person better than another in this sort of event?

[Jon H]

Being able to spin your legs round at 160 rpm helps.

[Andrew G]

Leg speed is key Toks, but you should be as smooth as possible as well, and keep your body still while you legs go mad. Or just having huge legs.

Anyone can ride rollers, but some will be more suited than others. I'd imagine Mark McL would be good as he's a good smooth tester who tends to spin lower gears quickly.

250m is fine but 500 felt like a long way when you're turning your legs as fast as you can.

George and I should really have done a seperate competition as being so young and beautiful we'd have to do 750m in a competition. Steve and Paul would do 500 as they're vets.

Huw - Paul went through his full repertoire of mounting the rollers, and starting and stopping unheld. Then moved on to no handed and one leged pedalling still unheld. The rest of us weren't so brave, and George needed everyone to hold him in one place as he put so much power out while others tried to stop the bike launching itself off the rollers and heading off through the wall .

[huw williams]

Like I say - the unheld category is a load of fun

[Steve B]

Sean, he's my uncle, be careful what you say

Jon, 160rpm is probably not quite quick enough

Toks, leg speed is the key. If you were good at 200m or 400m running, you will be good at the rollers.

I really enjoyed that last night, I look forward to the next time. Hopefully we can get more people down to have a go, it really is good fun.

It was the first time for me and also the first time I had ever ridden a fixed. A bit worrying at first but fine once spinning.

Although there were only about 6 people there cheering you on, the noise was fantastic, making you dig deep for that last bit of effort. I can imagine how it would be if there were 20 or so there. So come on guys and gals, make an effort next time and come along, whatever your level, you will definately enjoy it

Steve

[-Adam-]

The rollapaluza guys were at the London Freewheel, Marco and I had a go... with at least 40 people watching... It was quite good having that amount of noise...

My 500m time... 23.70... then again, I'm the sprinter...

[Roy Green]

Definitely echo Steve's views. I went, even tried a gentle spin on Andrew's nice fixie. Am claiming the over-70 award (where were you, John L?).

Thought the only slightly sad aspect was the lack of bodies there. But the faithful few greatly enjoyed it. The Club has an excellent set of rollers, shame not to use them more. Let's have more competition for the new Sprocket Medallion next time out.

Roy

[-Adam-]

[quote="marco"]my rollapaluza time - 24.43. less than a second slower than Adam! I mean ...really, Im a j4f rider who comes last in cx races!

[Stu Merckx Man]

i really wanted to do this....but i forgot

[Jon H]

[quote="Stu Merckx Man"]i really wanted to do this....but i forgot

[John the old'un]

[quote="Roy Green"]
(where were you, John L?).
Roy

[Andrew G]

Forgot! I've had it as a forum post for ages (and bounced) following the poll, tsk, tsk. I'd have shouted out at the cafe on Saturday but didn't stop in the wet.

If I can sort one out for January (probably late Jan) then would you make that one?

Steve needs someone to beat him so he can off-load the tacky sprocket medallion I slung round his neck .